Bill > H2437

This bill aims to promote team-based healthcare by regulating the role and practice of advanced practice nurses (APNs) and physician assistants (PAs) in Massachusetts. Key provisions include: 1. Requiring APNs and PAs to practice as part of a physician-led patient care team, where each member has specific responsibilities and collaborates with at least one physician. This includes maintaining written practice agreements, periodic review of patient records, and disclosing the name of the physician team leader to patients. 2. Specifying the requirements for collaboration and consultation among physicians, APNs, and PAs, to be jointly developed by the relevant regulatory boards. This includes guidelines for availability, communication, and joint evaluation of services. 3. Granting APNs and PAs the authority to prescribe controlled substances, order tests, and provide other treatments, within the scope of their practice and the team-based model. 4. Ensuring the severability of the provisions, so that if any part of the law is found invalid, the rest can remain in effect. The overall intent is to promote a team-based approach to healthcare delivery, with physicians providing leadership and oversight, while APNs and PAs contribute their expertise as part of the care team.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/H2437